Much has changed for dove cameron since coming out as queer in 2020 and then again in 2021. The singer and actor has opened up to ME! News about the journey he has been on since revealing his sexual identity in public.
“Honestly, I look back on that first initial foray into the conversation about my sexuality as the first time I was really myself publicly,” the “Boyfriend” singer said. “I think there’s this narrative where if you’re a queer person and you talk about your identity, it’s [as] though you’ve been sitting on a secret all your life, and it’s this big reveal. Where in my experience, it was not a revelation. I always knew who he was. Ever since I can remember, I’ve known I was queer.”
Paloma also served in the fear and apprehension fought before leaving. “I was never afraid that people would know who I loved,” she said. “Moreover, I was afraid that people would have access to my human parts in an industry that can be so anti-human. It was definitely an emotional thing, but it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to him.” Mentally, I’m much better now.”
The joy Dove has found since coming out is something she wants to share with her fans and supporters. “Social media has changed a lot because of activism and community involvement,” she said. “I like to tell my younger fans to support your queer friends. Engage in queer conversations. Create an open space within yourself, within your community, within your circles, and that’s enough.”
The former Disney star previously came out as queer in a cover story for gay times, where she reflected on being accused of queerbaiting in her “We Belong” video. “I have hinted at my sexuality for years while I was afraid to spell it out for everyone,” she explained. “I did a lyric video last year for ‘We Belong.’ It had moving pictures of people falling in love… It was all a man and a woman kissing, and it was a weird moment for me.”
She also explained what being queer means to her. “With the coming out process, it was about who I am overall rather than who I choose to go out with or sleep with,” Dove said. “I’m choosing to love myself, to be who I am every day and not edit myself depending on the room I’m in.”
Jasmine Washington is an assistant editor for Seventeen, covering beauty and pop culture. When her head isn’t buried in Love Belvin’s latest romantic release, she’s admiring all things Beyoncé and singing “Married at First Sight.” You can find her fulfilling her addiction to her beauty at Sephora, or somewhere in search of the best tacos in the world.
